Ty Cobb's Sweet Chili Con Carne With Beans

I worked with Ty and he loved the chili from the Cellar Door in Houston,"a bowl of red". His wife came up with this recipe.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3  tablespoons  cooking oil
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 3  garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 -2  lb lean ground beef
• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomatoes, cut up
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained (optional)
• 2 -4  tablespoons chili powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1  teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In large dutch oven, sauté onion and garlic in oil.
2. Add ground beef and cook till no longer pink.
3. Add 1/4 cup water and other ingredients and simmer one hour or more covered, stirring frequently.
4. Garnish with choice of grated cheese, chopped green onion and serve with soda or oyster crackers or corn bread.
5. In Texas, we leave out the beans.
6. Midwesteners may add spaghetti or rice (no kidding).